An Athlone family is engulfed in grief after the tragic loss of their cherished six-year-old Jack Russell, Sean, who died while bravely pursuing the robbers who ransacked their home.
The harrowing incident unfolded on Monday, December 1, when Roxanne and Devon Jones' lives took a devastating turn. Their home in Garlandale was struck by robbers who scaled their backyard wall, stealing their possessions and leaving chaos behind.
Roxanne, who was at home on that fateful day, shared how Sean had been an inseparable part of their family and was treated like a beloved son, according to Cape Argus. His joyful existence included regular visits to doggy daycare, spirited walks, and happy birthday celebrations, moments that filled their lives with love.
“I bonded with Sean the moment he came to us; he was so ill due to an infestation of worms but fought bravely to survive,” Roxanne recalled. "When naming him, I chose Sean after my husband’s second name since we always planned our first son would carry that name. So when I got this dog, I said, 'You weren’t specific as to which son, so this is our son Sean.'"
That morning began with a gentle cuddle before Sean was let outside for a brief moment to relieve himself. Suddenly, Roxanne heard his urgent barks, which immediately alerted her senses. “The second time he barked, my cousin-in-law went out to check and saw two guys leaving our shed with our belongings,” Roxanne recounted. “I ran out to investigate and found my deceased mother's photographs scattered on the ground and a hole in the slab at the back of the shed where the robbers had forced entry.”
As Roxanne locked the gate to protect Sean, she recalled seeing him investigate the hole, his instincts guiding him to follow the thieves' scent. In an effort to find Sean, a concerned neighbour hopped on his motorbike to assist in the search. However, nothing could have prepared Roxanne for what her neighbour would bring back: the lifeless body of Sean.
“He came back and said Sean was dead. I was in utter disbelief. He told me Sean was found by the bridge where the robbers had passed,” she said, her face a mask of anguish. "Sean never leaves my side; he followed them beyond our garden. My cousin-in-law fetched a box while I was stuck in a panic attack… my whole world shattered when he returned with Sean."
It is believed that Sean may have been struck by a vehicle while pursuing the criminals. “I’m not sure exactly what happened, but I was furious because if they had not come into our home, this would not have occurred,” Roxanne lamented.
Captain FC Van Wyk, police spokesperson, confirmed the burglary: “The incident happened at a premises in Garlandale Crescent. One tyre, three rims, and an Adidas bag were reported stolen. Investigations are ongoing, and no arrests have been made as of yet.”